Coach angry with Barnes

Starting offensive tackle deactivated after DUI charge Saturday.

By MICHAEL C. WRIGHTThe Times-Union,

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio scolds players privately, rarely making disparaging remarks about team members during interviews with reporters.

But a news-conference setting was exactly where Del Rio unleashed a flurry of frustration regarding left tackle Khalif Barnes, who was arrested early Saturday for driving under the influence. The team deactivated him before Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Houston Texans.

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Stepping to the lectern in the aftermath of the club's first home loss of the season, Del Rio held back on talking X's and O's, choosing instead to single out Barnes.

"Before we even get into the game, let me discuss a little bit about the Khalif Barnes incident," Del Rio said. "I thought he acted extremely selfishly from being out that late in the first place on a Friday night, to putting himself and other people in our community at risk by the reckless driving.

"On top of that, he had a DUI citation."

Because of the arrest, the Jags signed offensive tackle Wayne Hunter from the practice squad to the active roster. To make room for Hunter, the club had to waive running back Rich Alexis, Barnes' friend and former college teammate at the University of Washington.

Fifth-year player Dennis Norman, who had primarily played center, started in Barnes' left tackle position.

Barnes wasn't in the locker room after Sunday's game.

"We've had this kind of thing happen a couple of times," running back Fred Taylor said, "with [cornerback] Brian [Williams] [who recently pleaded no contest to drunken driving], Khalif and Bobby [McCray's] situation with the speeding. It's not right. But Khalif needs our support more than anything."

That's why Taylor's postgame plans included visiting Barnes, who lives one house over from Taylor.

"This should grow him up and teach him," Taylor said. "Us as a team, we've got to give him like, 'Man, we could've used you on Sunday.' Khalif feels bad enough right now. I'm going to go and spend some time with him and just make sure he's all right. People make mistakes."

Del Rio said he warned the team about the dangers of drinking and driving before this latest incident, in addition to imparting a message about the importance of making good choices.

Driving a silver 2007 Mercedes Benz purchased less than a month ago, Barnes was clocked driving 101 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to a police report. He failed a field sobriety test and was arrested, later registering a blood alcohol level of .12, above the legal limit of .08, the report said.

"When you make choices like that, then you're going to deal with some consequences," Del Rio said.

Barnes, a second-round pick in 2005, had started 20 consecutive games. His arrest marked the third for a Jaguars player since September.